Dave’s Specialties

  • composing & producing music for film, television, and ads
  • mixing and mastering multitrack recording sessions
  • complete song production
  • audio repair for the occasional boo-boos
  • sweetening & mastering your audio
  • remote piano and keyboard tracking for your songs
  • live music performance on piano/keys (currently unavailable for live performance)
Live in Concert
  • Over 30 years experience as a professional musician (piano, keyboards, arranging and composing)

  • Over 20 years experience in audio production, editing and engineering

About Dave Merkel

Dave Merkel is a composer, producer, and musician who believes music is one of the most powerful ways we connect as humans. With his work licensed for network television and featured across projects that span genres and emotions, Dave’s sound invites listeners to feel like participants — not just spectators — in a shared experience.

His music blends orchestral, electronic, and hybrid styles, weaving together cultural influences, modern techniques, and timeless melodies. Whether it’s a soaring trailer, an intimate piano theme, or an unexpected pop track, each piece aims to capture something deeply human.

Dave’s foundation comes from 12 years of classical piano training and a lifetime of varied experiences — from piano bars to broadcast production, jazz combos, choir conducting, and everything in between. This range gives his work both discipline and creative freedom, balancing formal structure with experimentation.

Living near Yellowstone National Park in Montana, Dave draws inspiration from the wide-open landscapes that surround him. The calm, vast beauty of the region often finds its way into his sound — organic, open, and full of movement.

Most of all, Dave is passionate about music. Whether helping other artists bring their music to life, scoring for film and television, or crafting arrangements for live performances, he approaches every project with curiosity, empathy, and a shared sense of purpose.

“Dave is great at what he does, and is a pleasure to work with!”

Matt W.

” … an amazing talent for music.”

Jeremy S.

“Dave has made each of my projects sound better. He has a great combination of good skills, is collaborative, and a patient partnership.”

Anthony C.

“Dave was great to work with … and produced a product that was exactly what we were looking for, couldn’t be happier!”

Val Y.

“It’s awesome! I love it! Thank you Dave! You’re awesome!”

Marina B.

“Magical production… I’m thrilled at what Dave did.”

Justina B.,

“I was super pleased with Dave’s professionalism and audio skillset. He had a quick turnaround and delivered an awesome product.”

Jodi R.

“Dave was great to work with. He completed the work quickly and made sure I was happy with everything. Very responsive to messages and I am thrilled with the final product. Definitely recommend!”

Sarah D.

Very good experience. Good partnership, communication, and good end product. I hope we get to do more together.

Anthony C.

“Dave did a great job in a short amount of time putting together the piano music for our musical! Thanks!”

Nicholas Q.

“You are amazing, Dave!”

Mary P.

“Great production, wonderful communication, I’m happy with his work.”

Brandon D.
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Dave Merkel
Dave MerkelPurveyor of creativity in music & sounds.

A bit more

Music is a key component and derivative of life, Dave’s included. The clichés often heard about music have a tendency to ring harmoniously true: music is the common language of the universe; if you want to know and understand someone, listen to the music they’re listening to/playing; music has the power to engage, unify, and move individuals beyond themselves; where words leave off music begins, yet there is nothing more difficult than speaking about music. Music is Dave’s home, escape, and a source of life.

While the numerous genres and cultural nuances of music each seem to offer something highly unique, the underlying message and power of music can move us far beyond ourselves to a place we discover the interconnectedness and interdependency we have with all humanity and creation. Music is, simply put, the language of human unity. From classical music to the syncopation and rhythm-driven hip-hop tunes to the creative and spontaneous flow of improvisation, music contains an underlying message that not only reflects but creates and nurtures life. While Dave is a classically trained pianist and pipe organist, he has come to embrace all forms, expressions, genres and styles of music. Rarely will he play music as written, but instead in a way that fully reflects the movement of the spirit in the moment.

Dave is definitely not the type that appreciates being placed in a box and labeled, and he attempts to afford the same respect to each person he encounters. Labeling and categorizing, while making it seemingly easier for us humans to understand life, is too black and white and inappropriate, leading to a deterioration of the uniqueness and diversity of each individual. As for Dave, you can label him conservative or liberal, progressive or fundamental, godly or devilish, graceful or clumsy, educated or not, simple or complicated, analytical or creative, playful or contemplative. All and none fit. Place him in a box and he’ll suddenly be missing from your meticulously labeled container only to be found in a completely unrelated categorized box. Not to worry, the Universe does that with Dave on occasion, too.

Some of life’s simple pleasures include:

  • Golf
  • Cooking
  • Red wine
  • Microbrew beer
  • The outdoors
  • Hiking
  • People
  • Monastic solitariness
  • Freedom
  • Space
  • Music
  • Good storytelling in voice, sound, pictures, printed word, and imagination